News
Make peace priority on election day
Reverend Dr Nicholas John Wood, Fellow and Dean of Regent’s Park College at the University of Oxford, has called on Ghanaians to approach the upcoming December elections with peace and respect for democratic principles.
Speaking at a conference, organised by the All Nations University College in Koforidua, on the theme: ‘Christian Faith in the Public Square,’ Dr Wood urged citizens to select their candidates and policies in a manner that upholds harmony in their communities.
Dr Wood emphasised the vital role of Christians and the church in fostering peace.
He encouraged them to actively engage in what he termed the ‘public square’ – a space encompassing law, governance, politics, culture, and society.
He urged believers to faithfully exercise their democratic rights in this sphere while respecting the diverse opinions and experiences of others.
“Advocating for policies or choosing a candidate should be done appropriately to ensure peace is maintained in the communities of the country,” he stated.
Reflecting on the challenges of political discourse, Dr Wood highlighted the importance of respectful disagreement.
“It is difficult in the public square to disagree, but where we agree, it is easy. Ghanaians should respect each other’s right to hold their own opinions, exercising their rights with grace and dignity, while allowing others to do the same,” he advised.
Addressing the Electoral Commission (EC), he likened their role to that of a referee, urging them to maintain public standards, ensure transparency, and uphold accountability.
Dr Wood further stressed the need for the EC to conduct free and fair elections while exercising their voting rights privately, like any other citizen.
On the role of the youth, he noted their passion and enthusiasm but cautioned against destructive behaviour.
“The youth have every right to express themselves, but they must also give room for other voices and avoid resorting to violence during and after elections,” he cautioned.
Moreover, Dr Wood underscored the connection between peace and national development, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the preservation of Ghana’s stability.
He called on Christians to lead the charge in promoting peace and ensuring the nation remains united during this crucial period.
The conference provided a platform to reflect on the intersection of faith and civic responsibility, emphasising the need for collective efforts to secure Ghana’s democratic values and peaceful coexistence.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu
Agyeman, Koforidua
News
NPP condems arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the arrest and detention of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by operatives of the National Security.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua noted that “This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment of the ongoing series of state-sponsored attacks on the media by the NDC government, in their desperate attempt to silence the media and curtail press freedom.”
According to the him, “The Party condemns in no uncertain terms this state-sponsored lawlessness and commends the many well-meaning Ghanaians who spoke loudly against this shameful conduct by the National Security. We also commend the young people and the team of lawyers who stormed the National Security Secretariat this evening to see to the release of the abducted journalist.”
“The NPP wishes to remind President Mahama and his government that the Ghana that was bequeathed to them on January 7, 2025, was a free country. It was the bastion of democracy, underpinned not only by the existence of functioning democratic institutions but also by our unflinching commitment to upholding press freedom as enshrined in Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution,” they added.
Read the full statement below
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 19, 2025
*NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY CONDEMNS THE UNLAWFUL ARREST OF VETERAN JOURNALIST, OKATAKYIE AFRIFA MENSAH BY NATIONAL SECURITY OPERATIVES*
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) condemns the unlawful arrest and detention by operatives of the National Security, of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a veteran journalist, who has been critical of the John Mahama administration.
This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment of the ongoing series of state-sponsored attacks on the media by the NDC government, in their desperate attempt to silence the media and curtail press freedom.
The Party condemns in no uncertain terms this state-sponsored lawlessness and commends the many well-meaning Ghanaians who spoke loudly against this shameful conduct by the National Security. We also commend the young people and the team of lawyers who stormed the National Security Secretariat this evening to see to the release of the abducted journalist.
The NPP wishes to remind President Mahama and his government that the Ghana that was bequeathed to them on January 7, 2025, was a free country. It was the bastion of democracy, underpinned not only by the existence of functioning democratic institutions but also by our unflinching commitment to upholding press freedom as enshrined in Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution.
In line with this commitment, the country also went through the painstaking process of repealing the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2001, a process that was spearheaded by the immediate past President, H.E Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, who was then the Attorney General of the Republic.
It is therefore completely repugnant and unacceptable for the John Mahama administration to be using State Security to intimidate political opponents as well as media personnel in a bid to silence all critical voices This, in fact, is an egregious affront to our democratic and constitutional tenets.
We call on the Ghana Journalist Association, the Media Foundation of West Africa, Civil Society Organizations, and all stakeholders to join us in demanding an immediate cessation of this tyranny and growing culture of state-sponsored attacks on the media.
Enough is enough.
…Signed…
JUSTIN KODUA FRIMPONG
GENERAL SECRETARY
News
We have built enough buffers to pay all DDEP obligations – Finance Minister Ato Forson
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured banks that the government has built sufficient financial buffers to meet all Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) obligations this year.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with over 22 Managing Directors of banks, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and restoring confidence in the financial sector.
“We do not intend to default,” Dr. Forson declared.
“All outstanding holdouts have been paid, and we have put in place the necessary buffers to ensure that every single DDEP obligation for this year will be met.”
The Minister explained that these buffers were created through fiscal discipline, strategic investment cuts, and prudent resource allocation.
As part of this approach, the government has reset goods and services expenditure to 2023 levels and is working to achieve a primary surplus of 1.5% to sustain economic stability.
He also announced plans to submit a fiscal responsibility rule to Parliament, which will set a debt ceiling that the Ministry of Finance cannot exceed.
This measure aims to prevent excessive borrowing and reinforce financial discipline.
Beyond ensuring timely DDEP payments, Dr Forson revealed that the government is taking deliberate steps to reduce reliance on the Treasury bill market.
By improving coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, the government aims to stabilize interest rates and ease liquidity pressures on the banking sector.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
